The country’s central bank said that economic growth this year should be faster than expected, adjusting its estimate of GDP growth to 5.6%, from 5%.

It added that the global financial crisis should hold next year’s rise in GDP to 3.2%, down from the 4% growth forecast by the Government. The bank said that inflation should reach 6.2% this year, but would be 4.7% in 2009, partly because of recent rises in interest rates.

The Times